History Matters

The US declared war on both the German Empire and Austria-Hungary in 1917 but the Ottomans were left out and the United States ignored them for the entire duration of the war. But why did they do this? To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.

For the past few centuries there have been two Mongolias. Outer Mongolia, better known as just plain old Mongolia and Inner Mongolia which is a part of China. Historically these two regions were seen as indistinguishable and were overwhelmingly Mongolian in their make up. So why are the two separate and why is Inner Mongolia a part of China and not Mongolia? To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.

You all know Yugoslavia for its nasty break up with many people seeing its end as unfortunate but inevitable because of the country's ethnic tensions. Given that looking back its doom seemed all but guaranteed, why did anyone bother to make a Yugoslavia in the first place? To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.

In 1808, Napoleon Bonaparte decided that his close ally Spain needed to be conquered. Given that good friends are hard to come by, why did Napoleon do this? Why his betray Spain? To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.

In 395 the Roman Empire was split into two halves. With Rome (later Ravenna) in the west and Constantinople in east playing capital to what was essentially two distinct empires. But given how Roman emperors liked having power and how in the past imperial division had only been temporary, why was this time permanent? To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.

The only major power that didn't get involved in the Napoleonic Wars was the Ottoman Empire which managed to avoid becoming France's ally or enemy. So how did the Ottomans do this and why didn't they try to capitalise on Europe being preoccupied and expand? To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.

Spain handed Florida over to the United States in 1821 and in return was left with absolutely nothing in compensation. This seems a bit odd so why did Spain just give it away? To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.

Throughout its existence, the Weimar Republic was saddled with massive reparations from Germany's defeat during WW1. As you'll know these caused massive problems across Germany so why didn't its politicians just try to default and what did they do to reduce Germany's massive debts? To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.

When Charlemagne founded the Holy Roman Empire, it included the vast majority of what's now France. In the centuries that followed, the Holy Roman Empire had moved away from these lands into central Europe. So why did this happen? Why did France, named for the Franks, separate from the territories ruled by Charlemagne's imperial successors? To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.

When France and Prussia went to war in 1870, one of the most notable things about said conflict was the fact that none of the other great powers got involved. So why not? Why didn't they help one side or the other? To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.